WD Black 6TB Desktop HDD Review

WD Black has launched a 6TB version (as well as a 5TB model) of the performance-driven family of consumer-grade hard disk drives, which is a 2TB increase in storage compared to the previous 4TB model that we reviewed a few months back.

Like its predecessors, the WD Black 6TB is designed to give an overall boost for heavier computing tasks, while offering a good cost per TB. It is an ideal internal storage solution for power consumers looking for the highest possible performance from the market’s current hard disk drive technology as well as those looking for an alternative to the more expensive hybrid drives.

WD is also marketing this drive to gamers, which certainly makes sense due to its massive storage pool. PC games sometimes reach almost 50GB in size (not including their DLC), so the WD Black’s 6TB model can add real value to low- and mid-range gaming rigs. In addition, the 6TB model includes StableTrac Technology, which creates more accurate data tracking due to vibrations from additional gaming hardware. WD also sees the 6TB as a good fit for professionals looking for capacity and performance in a desktop enclosure.

The WD Black is quoted to offer 218MB/s (an improvement from 194MB/s from the previous capacity) in sustained data-transfer rates. To produce these numbers, the WD Black has significant cache sizes up to 128MB of DRAM, which is double the amount of its predecessor. Coupling this with WD’s Dynamic Cache Technology helps to enhance caching algorithms in real time, which allocates and optimizes cache between reads and writes. This results in a noticeable decrease in congestion as well as an increase in overall performance. These characteristics make the drive a good candidate for external enclosures for professionals who need high performance, high capacity storage that can be moved about relatively easily.

In addition to the 6TB model, the WD Black also comes in capacities of 3TB, 4TB, and 5TB. All drives come include a 5-year limited warranty.

WD Black 6TB Specifications

• Model number: WD6001FZWX
• Interface SATA 6 Gb/s
• Formatted capacities: 6TB, 5TB, 4TB, 3TB
• Form factor: 3.5-inch
• Advanced Format (AF)
• RoHS compliant
• Performance
• Data transfer rate (max)
  • Buffer to host: 6 Gb/s
  • Host to/from drive (sustained): 218MB/s
• Cache (MB): 128
• Rotational speed (RPM): 7200
• Reliability/Data Integrity
  • Load/unload cycles: 300,000
  • Non-recoverable read errors per bits read: <1 in 10¹⁴
• Power Management:
  • Average power requirements (W):
    • Read/Write: 10.6
    • Idle: 7.6
    • Standby/Sleep: 1.6
• Environmental Specifications:
  • Temperature (°C):
    • Operating: 5 to 55
    • Non-operating: -40 to 70
  • Shock (Gs):
    • Operating (2 ms, write): 30
    • Operating (2 ms, read): 65
    • Non-operating (2 ms): 300
• Acoustics (dBA):
  • Idle: 31
  • Seek (average): 34
• Limited warranty (years): 5

Design and build

The WD Black 6TB model looks identical to that of the company’s 4TB capacity, which was released roughly two years ago. As such, the consumer-grade WD drive has the standard WD product label, gives users all the information they need about the drive including: the capacity, serious number, model number, and a QR code that sends users to the product website.

The WD Black 4TB uses the standard 3.5″ form factor with a SATA 6Gbps interface with the heat-producing components in contact with the body of the drive. This is WD’s normal practice for their layouts of their HDDs. As a result, this allows components like the controller, RAM, and motor driver to dispense heat into the body. WD also leverages a foam pad, which is placed in between the drive and circuit board to help absorb vibration.

Conclusion

The new 6TB WD Black HDD offers both a significant increase in storage and noticeable boost in performance. With WD’s latest effort, enthusiasts/professionals will certainly see an overall boost in heavier computing, as it effectively leverages WD’s latest drive technology along with 128MB of DRAM and Dynamic Cache Technology. The latter improves caching algorithms in real time by allocating and optimizing cache between reads and writes. As such, power consumers and gamers with a hefty capacity footprint will find a lot to like with the WD Black 6TB HDD.

Pros

• Great boost in overall performance compared to the previous model
• 50% storage capacity boost over prior gen
• Good price/performance/capacity blend

Cons

• Ranked under the 4TB in a few workloads

Bottom Line

The WD Black 6TB is a significant upgrade in both performance and capacity compared to its predecessor. The resulting combination of capacity, price and performance makes the 6TB Black an excellent option for professionals and enthusiasts who have a large storage footprint either in a PC or via external enclosure.

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